ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Individual Freedom today announced that 24 respondents to its 2010 Candidate Issues Survey who expressed definitive opposition to Net Neutrality were victorious on Tuesday in their midterm election contests. 

CFIF made its announcement in response to the news that all 95 candidates who signed the Progressive Change Campaign Committee’s (PCCC) pledge in support of Net Neutrality lost their elections.  That’s 0 for 95.

CFIF’s survey, which was mailed to all candidates running for federal office, contained five questions on issue topics that it believes are representative of what voters and the American people are most concerned about.  In addition to questions about healthcare, taxes, and debt and deficit spending, question five of CFIF’s survey asked the following:

“President Obama’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) favors implementation of ‘Net Neutrality’ regulations upon Internet service by a 3-2 margin.  ‘Net Neutrality’ advocates assert that more federal regulation is necessary to prevent the possibility of content blockage by service providers.  Opponents of ‘Net Neutrality’ assert that it would discourage future investment in broadband expansion and innovation, prohibit Internet traffic management, and undermine service quality.  Do you favor or oppose federal regulations that would impose ‘Net Neutrality?’”

Of the 24 victorious candidates who responded in opposition to Net Neutrality, 14 were incumbents and 10 were challengers.

“Unlike PCCC and other pro-Net Neutrality groups who tried desperately to make Net Neutrality regulation a major issue in the midterm elections, we are under no delusion that it was,” said CFIF President Jeffrey Mazzella.  “But the issue is indicative of voters’ belief that the current administration is overreaching in its pro-regulatory zeal.  And, when comparing the victorious 24 candidates who expressed opposition to Net Neutrality on CFIF’s issues survey to PCCC’s 95 pledge signers who support Net Neutrality, all of whom lost, the only rational conclusion one can make is that support for this issue is a political loser,” Mazzella concluded.

The 24 candidates who answered CFIF’s survey in opposition to Net Neutrality and won their elections are:

Mo Brooks (AL-5)
Gary Miller (CA-32)
Doug Lamborn (CO-5)
David Rivera (FL-25)
Cliff Stearns (FL-6)
Paul Broun (GA-10) 
Mike Crapo (ID-Senate)
Raul Labrador (ID-1)
Donald Manzullo (IL-16)
Marlin Stutzman (IN-3)
Todd Rokita (IN-4)
Mike Pompeo (KS-4)
John Fleming (LA-4)
Bill Huizenga (MI-2)
Vicky Hartzler (MO-4)
Patrick McHenry (NC-10)
Sue Myrick (NC-9)
Joe Wilson (SC-2)
Trey Gowdy (SC-4)
John Duncan (TN-2)
Ted Poe (TX-2)
Ralph Hall (TX-4)
Rob Bishop (UT-1)
David McKinley (WV-1)

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 Founded in 1998, the Center for Individual Freedom (www.cfif.org) is a Constitutional and free-market advocacy organization with more than 250,000 supporters and activists nationwide.  CFIF opposes over-burdensome state and federal regulations, as well as taxation, that impedes the evolution of the Internet and e-commerce.  CFIF maintains www.StopNetRegulation.org, a website explaining Net Neutrality, why it will stifle Internet innovation and job growth, and how to get involved.